Reports on the story of Daniel Shays' sale of a sword given to him by General Lafayette. The story was used by Shays' contemporaries as a means of attacking the rebellion. Notes that while Shay died a poor and homeless man, we remember and honor him for devotion to principle and the responsibility he showed toward his neighbors. (JDH)

Offers two strategies for preparing students for courtroom observation field trips. The strategies involve using the newspaper and structured observation. Both are illustrated with several examples. Included is a list of tips on court visits. (JDH)

This article summarizes interviews with three people who helped begin the U.S. law-related education (LRE) movement: Isidore Starr, Vivian Monroe, and Arlene Gallagher. The interview questions cover obstacles to early LRE efforts, challenges for LRE today, and whether LRE has made a difference in social studies and civic education. (JDH)

Provides an activity designed to help students understand how U.S. Supreme Court judges are selected. Points out that the Constitution does not specify any qualification to serve as a federal judge, but that an unwritten rule is that all nominees have a bachelor of laws degree. (JDH)

Reports results of a survey of professional literature, curriculum guides, textbook advertisements, and newspaper articles from World War II era in order to assess response of social studies educators to crisis of World War II and effect of the war on the social studies curriculum. Concludes that rapid curriculum change resulted in response to the…

Implementation of civic education in the schools of a pluralistic society poses a challenge to preserve our traditions and to present prototypes for the future. Rawls's social philosophy, the cornerstone of which is the concept of justice, is both in agreement with our basic traditions and a model for our society. (Author/GC)

What makes a case interesting enough or important enough to be heard by the Supreme Court is discussed, tips to help teachers use a Supreme Court docket in the classroom are presented, and teaching strategies are described. Resources for studying the Supreme Court are also cited. (RM)

The only way to improve citizen participation in the political system is to renew the commitment to civic education. A successful civic education is one that educates its citizens in the basic principles and precepts of the American system and then keeps them informed. (MLW)

"We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution," is an educational program developed by the Center for Civic Education. The program instructs students on the history and principles of American constitutional democracy with the primary goal of promoting civic competence and responsibility among the nation's elementary, middle, and…

Because they reach almost every young person in the nation, schools are best positioned to prepare the next generation of Americans for active citizenship. The public increasingly recognizes that students' civic learning is important to maintaining our representative democracy, and parents are calling for schools to help prepare young people for…

A discussion of literary works can aid in the development of civic understanding among elementary school children. This resource provides reviews for more than 100 children's literature titles. Each entry includes grade level and bibliographic information. Teaching guides are provided for 20 titles and include a summary of the story, suggestions…

This special issue is intended to help teachers educate students about today's important U.S. Supreme Court and other judicial decisions, the legal issues they involve, and their impact on students' lives. The issue focuses upon the 1995 term of the Supreme Court and the tendency for the justices to vote unanimously. An overview of the cases and…

A study was conducted in order to determine the specific classroom qualities and characteristics that promote and motivate students to develop attitudes and behaviors conducive to civic participation. One classroom is a bi-lingual sixth grade, located in an older neighborhood school in a coastal southern California city and the other is a…

These essays address education for citizenship at a specific, concrete level. The collection offers examples of efforts to create among students a new set of what Alexis de Tocqueville called "mores" or culturally defining "habits of the heart" that enhance citizenship, foster a sense of connectedness to a community, and…

This annotated reference list is organized for a quick review of citizen participation information sources. Resources and readings are intended to be a starting point for researchers, practitioners, and others who are looking for information about citizen participation. The document includes the following sections: (1) "General Links to Citizen…